Improvement in machines for securing buttons to cards



. 6Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. L. OTIS. Machine for Securing Buttons to Cards.

1 No. 222,837. I Patented Dec. 23,1879.

W E a Q {ml/A5 w WITNESSES [NVENTUR N-PEYERS. PNOTWUTHOGRAPNER WASMING'TON. D. C.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

s. L. OTIS.

{ Machine for Securing Buttons t o Cards.

No. 222,837. Patented Dec; 23,1879.

WITNESSES ".PEI'ERS, PHOTO-LITMDDRAPNEIL WASHINGTON E C.

6 Sheets-Sheet '3.

S. vL. OTIS. Machine for Securing Buttons'to Cards.

No. 222,837. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

.6 Shee ts-Sheefs 4 L. OTIS. I Machine for Securing Buttons. to Cards. No. 222.837. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ,N- PETERS, PHOTOJ-ITMOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

- 6 sheets -Sheet 5. S. L. OTIS. Machine for Securing Buttons to Cards.

No. 222,837. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

INVENTOR c ATTORNEY WlT 8858 5229 M N.PETERS. PNOTO-IJTMOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. n c.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6. S -L. 0 TIS M a, chine for S eouring Buttons to O ard s.

No. 222,831. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

nussszs mvamon A M 2%, M n W ATTORNEY MPETEES, PHDTD-UTHOGRAPHFJI, WASHINGTON. D C.

*UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

SAMUEL L. OTIS, OF BIRMINGHAM, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR SECURING BUTTONS T 0 CARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,837, dated December 23, 1879; application filed October 17, 1879. I

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. OTIs,of Birmingham, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Securing Buttons to Cards; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accompanyin g drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention consists in a machine which secures buttons to cards by automatically pass ing thread through the button-holes, severing the thread between the buttons, and securing the ends of the several pieces of thread to the under side of the card.

The invention broadly covers mechanism or devices which automatically perforate the card, pass the thread through the button-holes, cut the thread, apply paste to the under side of the card, and secure the depending thread ends to the latter by pasting tissue-paper or other suitable fabric over them.

The specific means which I prefer to employ in accomplishing this result are constructed and adapted to operate, in brief, as follows: Hook-needles are arranged in pairs, and adapted to have vertical reciprocation through a perforated card-supportin g plate. These needles puncture the card on their upstroke, and when at their highest point the buttons are placed over them and slipped down onto the upper face of the card. Thread is then delivered in position to be caught by the hookneedles on their downstroke, and as the needles descend they draw the thread through the holes in the buttons and the card. During this downstroke of the needles the opposite ends of the thread are secured by two automatic clamps, the thread is held by guards so as certainly to be caught by the needles, the book ends of the needles are compressed by presser fingers, so that they may not engage with the upper face of the buttons, the thread is secured between the buttons, and threadeveners press the thread centrally upon each button, so that both ends of each piece of thread may be drawn equally below the card. After the needles have reached their lowest point the thread eveners are raised from the buttons, the card is fed along a suitable distance, the needles puncture a new transverse row of holes in the card, and the previous operation is repeated.

As the card is gradually fed toward the discharging end of the machine paste is automatically applied to its under side,thereby pasting the depending thread ends thereto; and, finally, the card is passed through finishing-rolls, which are adapted to paste tissue-paper or other equiv, alent fabric overs-aid thread ends, and thus permanently secure the latter to the under side of the card.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the forward end and one side of the machine. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the side of the machine opposite to the side shown in the preceding figure. Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical section of the machine. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 5 is a perspective View, with the upper portion of the machine removed and the side broken away, representing the machine as operating upon a card. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the means which actuate the threadeveners. Fig. 7 is a detail View of one of the needles. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the threadcutting device.

The "main actuating-shaft A is located transversely at the rear end of the structure, and

may be rotated by crank a. Its opposite extremity connects by link I) with the pivotal needle-frame B. The forward swinging ex tremity of this frame may be provided with any desired number of hook-needles C, arranged in pairs, and adapted to have vertical reciprocating movement through corresponding perforations 0, made in the card-supporting plate D.

A counter-shaft, E, gears with the main shaft A by means of a pinion, d, and wheel 0, adapted to rotate said counter-shaft at half the speed of said main shaft. The countershaft is provided with a cam-groove, f, in which works a stud, g, secured to bar F, said bar having its rear extremity pivoted to a cross-bar, G, and its forward extremity pivoted to a link, 70, whose opposite end is pivoted to the stem of the thread-guide H. This threadguide is made in crane form, and its stem is pivoted to cross-bar L, so as to have free piv,-.

otal movement in a horizontal plane. It is provided with a spool-post, l, and eyes m for the thread. Olamps M have their stems working in stationary sleeves K, and areadapted to have reciprocating movement in a vertical plane to and from the bed-plate of the machine.

Rods N connect at their crank ends with bars P. Each of said bars has its. lower extremity pivoted to the side frame of the machine, and its upper extremity adapted to engage with a cam, 19. The counter shaft is provided. with said cams, respectively, at both extremities thereof. Springs 1%, connected with said bars P, draw the latter forward, thereby pressing the clamps M down upon the bed-plate, While the cams 19 force said bars rearward and raise the cams.

The vertically-swinging frame S at the forward end of the machine is connected by rod T to lower end of bar r, which latter is pivoted to the side frame of the machine, the upper extremity of said bar being adapted to be e11- gaged with cam s on, main shaft A. The action of this latter cam throws the upper end of frame S toward the needles, and when released from said cam the spring R serves to move the upper end of the said frame away from the needles, said upper end of frame S being provided with presser-fingers V, respectively located in a line at right angles with the vertical path of the needles, and also provided with thread-guards W, located in pairs .with said pressers severally between each pair. These pairs of thread-guards bear laterally against the thread, one guard being on each side of a needle, pressing the thread forward, so that there will be no liability of the needles passing on the downstroke without catching the thread with their hook ends.

The Working ends of the thread-guards are made in' vertical concave form, so as to securely engage with the thread, and prevent the latter from slipping over or under the guards.

- The presser-fingers V bear against the hook ends of the needles as the latter are on their downstroke and after catching the thread, thereby forcing the free end of each hook in close contact with'its respective needle, so that there may be no liability of the hook to catch against the upper face of the button.

A cutter-head rod, X, is journaled transversely on the frame, and connected by link it with lower end of pivotal bar 22, whose upper extremity is provided with stud w, working in cam-groove x-on the inner face of pulley y.

The cutters Y are respectively adapted to work on each side ofevery pair ofneedles, their office being to sever the thread on opposite sides of each button at every downstroke of the needles. Their cutting-edges have a reciprocating movement relative to stationary cutters Z. The thread fits in between. each pair of the cutters, and is severed without producing strain upon the thread.

The thread-eveners A are made in crane form, and adapted to clamp the thread down on the central portion of each button as the needles are ontheirdownstroke. Each threadevener has its working end in vertical line with the inclosure formed by each pair of needles, and as the thread is severed by the cutters said eveners press the thread against the center of the button, thereby preventing one end of the thread from being drawn through the button and cardholes farther than its opposite end. The rear ends of these threadeveners are secured in a transverse rotary bar, B. the latter actuating the thread-eveners in their reciprocating vertically;swinging movement. An arm, a, secured to said shaft, has a lateral projection, b, at its upper extremity, which engages with a stud, c, projecting from a disk, O, fixed to the main. actuating'shaft A. The engagement of this stud and. arm serves to move the thread-eveners in their downward movement, and a spring, d, serves to throw the eveners upward immediately upon release of said engagement.

The slide D, which feeds the card, is provided with clamps e pivoted to its sides, said clamps being adapted to permit the card to be passed under them when moving from the nee dles, and to hold said card against any tendency to move toward the needles. This slide is reciprocated longitudinally by engagement of the lower ends of rods E with recesses f, formed in the sides of the slides, the upper ends of said rods being secured to a transverse rotary shaft, F. This shaft is provided with an-arm, G, having a lateral stud, g, which works in a cam-groove, h, formed in disk 0. I

A paste-receptacle, H, and a paste roll, K, are adapted to apply a coat of paste to the under side of the card as the latteris fed from the needles. This pastes the ends of the threads to the card and prevents them from becomin g misplaced.

The upper finishing-roll, L, is formed with annular grooves 1, adapted to permit the passage of the longitudinal rows of buttons on the card. A band, M, connects pulley m, fixed on the shaft of this roll, to pulley y onthe main actuatingshaft.

The lower finishing-roll, N, is journale d in pivotal bearings n, adapted to be vertically adjusted, so that said roll can be moved to or from the upper finishing-roll.

Aroll, P, is supplied with tissue-paper or other suitable fabric, which is conducted upward in the rear of and between the two finishing-rolls. This tissucpaper or other fabric is thereby automatically fed forward and pasted to the under side of the card, and as it covers the thread ends the latter are permanently secured in position.

In operating the machine, a card is introduced through opening ltwhen the needles are below the card-supporting plate, and the card is placed in position for the needles to puncture the card for the foremost transverse row of buttons. The card thereafter requires no further attention until it is ready to be taken from the machine at the opposite end. The machine then passes the needlesupward through the card, puncturing holes therein, and when at their ,highest point the buttons are slipped over the needles, the two needles of each pair passing,respectively, through the two holes of each button. After the buttons are placed over the needles, down upon the upper face of the card, the thread-guide passes in front of the needles and delivers a line of thread in position to be caught by them, the thread being held by the thread-clamps on each side of the machine, which rise to receive the thread beneath them as the thread-guide passes them, said clamps then moving downward and holding the thread until the guide delivers a fresh line of thread for the needles to engage with. As the needles are on their downstroke the thread-guards move against the thread and hold the latter in position, so that it will eertainlybe engaged by the needles. The presser fingers also move in the same direction, and bear against the hook ends of the needles, thereby pressing each book end into a longitudinal recess, p, formed in the body of its needle, and obviating any possibility of the hook engaging with the upper face of the button. As the needles pass through the buttons the cutters operate to sever the thread between the diiferent buttons, and also on each side of the machine near the threadclamps. The thread-eveners now move downward and press each piece of thread centrally against its respective button, thereby holding it in place and preventing one end of the thread from being drawn through the button and card farther than its opposite end. When the needles complete their downstroke the threadeveners are raised from the buttons, and the card is fed along a suitable distance. The needles then puncture a new set of holes in the cards, other buttons are slipped over the needles, and the operation is repeated. As the card is fed along paste is applied to its under surface, thereby temporarily securing the thread ends thereto, and the finishing-rolls finally cover the thread ends with tissue-paper or equivalent material, thus completing the operation.

It will be understood that any desired number of pairs of needles, from one upward, may be used.

Having fully described my invention, what i I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of hook-needles arranged in pairs and adapted to be vertically reciprocated and a thread-guide which automatically delivers a line of thread in position to be caught by said needles, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of a perforated cardsupporting plate, hook-needles adapted to be reciprocated through the perforations, and a thread-guide which automatically delivers the thread in position to be caught bysaid needles, substantially as set forth.

3. In amachine for attachingbuttons to cards, the combination of hook-needles arranged in pairs and adapted to be vertically reciprocated, a threadrguide which automatically delivers a line of thread in front of the needles, and clamps which secure the thread at each side of the machine, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of hooleneedles adapted to be vertically reciprocated, athread-guide which delivers the thread to the needles, and thread-guards which hold the thread in position for the hook-needles to engage there with, substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reci 'irocatinghook-needles and presser-tingers adapted to bear against the hook ends of said nee dles as the latter are on their dowustroke, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-recipro eating hook-needles, a thread-guide which antomatically delivers the thread thereto, and cutters adapted to sever the thread on the downstroke of the needles, substantially as set forth.

7 In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, and thread-eveners adapted to press the thread to the central portion of the respective buttons on the downstroke of said needles, substantially as set forth.

8. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, cutters adapted to sever the thread between the different buttons and ateach side of the machine on the downstroke of the needles, and thread-eveners which press the several pieces of cut thread to their respective buttons, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, a thread-guide which automatically delivers the thread thereto, clamps which secure the thread to opposite sides of the machine, and thread-guards which hold the thread in position to be caught by said needles, substantially as set forth.

1( In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocatin g hook-needles, a thread-guide which delivers the thread thereto, clamps which secure the thread to opposite sides of the machine, and resser-fingers which bear against said hook-needles on their downstroke, substantially as set forth.

11. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, a thread-guide which automatically delivers thread thereto, threadguards which hold the thread in position to be caught by the needles, and presserfi ngers which bear againstsaidhook-needles on their downstroke, substantially as set forth.

12. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, a thread-guide which antomatically delivers the thread thereto, clamps which secure the thread to opposite sides of the machine, thread-guards which hold the thread in position to be caught by the needles, pressenfingers which bear against the hook needles on thei r downstroke, an d cutters which sever the thread, substantially as set forth.

13. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating l1ook-needles, athread-guide which automatically delivers thread thereto, clamps which secure the thread to opposite sides of the machine, cutters which sever the thread on the downstroke of the needles, and threadeveners which clamp the several pieces of thread centrally to their respective buttons, substantially as set forth.

14. In a machine for attaching buttons to cards, the combination of vertically-reciprocating hook-needles, a thread-guide which antomatically delivers thread thereto, clamps which secure the thread to opposite sides of the machine, thread-guards which hold the thread in position, resser-fingers which bear against the hook-needles on their downstroke, cutters which sever the thread between the different buttons and at each side of the machine, and threadeveners which press the several pieces of cut thread centrally to their respective buttons, substantially as set forth.

15. Amachineforattaching buttons to cards, consisting, essentially, in the combination of the following parts: needles for perforating the card and inserting the thread in said perforations, cutters for severing the threads, a device for applying paste to the under side of the card, and rollers for applying tissue-paper or other suitable fabric to the pasted surface of the card-board, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of October, 187 9.

SAMUEL L. OTIS. Witnesses:

S. M. GARDNER, FRED. J. LOOMIS. 

